JOHN MERRILL'S YORKSHIRE DALES CHALLENGE WALK -23 MILES & 3,600 FEET OF ASCENT.

ABOUT THE WALK AND MY STORY -

My school days were spent in boarding schools in Harrogate and
Wetherby; the Yorkshire Dales were therefore our playground. Sundays were always free and I could go to the school kitchen and make my-self sandwiches prior to cycling off to the hills. I spent many a happy day climbing on Armscliffe Crag, Brimham Rocks and the Cow and Calf crag near llkley. During the summer we often went on weekend camps to Patley Bridge. From here we ascended and explored Malham Cove, Ingleborough and. the dales. It only seems natural that from these outings my love of the open places was cemented for life. Ten years ago I completed my first walk over 2,000 miles and linked together the ten National Parks of England and Wales, ascended the principal mountains and walked major paths such as the Pennine Way and Dales Way.

Having written a Challenge Walk to the Peak District, where I live, I
began looking into other areas and longed to be back in the Dales. My aim has simply been to encompass the scenic variety found in the
National Park—mountains, moorland, limestone country and dale/
river walking. At the same time the walk to be a challenge to complete within twelve hours, but within the capabilities of the average person. After several forays into the area I finalised this route which is 23 miles long with 3,600 feet of ascent, in three stages.

I reached Kettlewell in late April and stayed at Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield's, Dale House Guest House. I couldn’t have chosen better and was afforded an extremely warm Yorkshire welcome and truly exceptional home cooking. The night before the final walk round the route, I sat down to a huge plate of roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, followed by fresh strawberries and cream. The next day dawned cloudy with rain. But upon setting off the sun came out and the day was matchless— cool on the summits with a fleck of snow and the dales hot and fresh with new born lambs and early Spring flowers.

I can only hope that on your walk circuit you have equally as fine
weather, with distant views over to Ingleborough and Pen-y-Ghent.
Have a good walk and let me know how you fared.

A5. Signed by John Merrill.

Embroidered cloth badge and signed certificate available to successful walkers.

All successful walkers added to me Walkers Roll of Honour page.

SPECIAL OFFER PRICE - £3.00